NOTES for Psa 45

This hymn is not dedicated to an earthly king, nor is the praise it offers addressed to him. The Bible certainly speaks repeatedly of respect for earthly rulers, recognition of their leading position among the people, and the importance of their public service. All this is true, but no earthly king can compare with the Heavenly King.

Yet earthly images express what is above the earth. Our comparisons cannot convey the whole essence of the Incomprehensible One, but they can at least remotely suggest His attributes to us. That is why the image of an earthly King was chosen to express the strength and might of the Almighty.

Here, however, we see not only the praise of the One who created the world and now governs it, but also a prophecy of the King-Messiah who is yet to appear in the world. In the days when the psalms were composed, nations submitted to earthly kings after being conquered by weapons; later, however, the nations will receive another King because they will have been conquered by His sacrificial love.